Recent content by Gatzby

Agreed It isn't cheap. But they are incredibly well made, just like their kennels!

Poly chokes. AKA Dial a prayer

The Webster area will take some work, not to many birds around there. Go walleye fishing instead!

I hope Goose's absence is because he met/kissed a girl other than his sister.

I do not agree at all. Force Fetch when done fairly can be done at any age, old dogs love learning new tricks. The old methods of bottle caps or pliers shouldn't be done at any age, and I don't know any competent trainers that still employ these methods

Watch some videos on hold, and try to apply this to the dog at heal. Distance erodes control so start with him at heal and work up to short retrieves. IE put the bumper in his mouth and back up 3 - 4 steps and call him to you. keep adding distance as long as the hold is solid

When he is sitting at heal is he mouthy?

I would quit using birds and wings (and canvas bumpers) in training for the time being, use something less rewarding like plastic bumpers. I know the popular answer will be Force Fetch. I would be more likely to try and get a more business like recall to eliminate the opportunity to chew...

So much depends on your level of satisfaction and what they charge monthly. If they exceeded your expectations and your dog was well cared for I think a 10%-15% gratuity to the trainer (not the kennel owner) is appropriate. Unless you own the business trainers don't make to much.

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Well I just read most of the posts. Two things come to mind. Why do all other breeds compare themselves against the good ole Labrador meat dogs? All dogs are fantastic (except Tollers) and everyone thinks their dog is the best, and they are all correct. Secondly I realized awhile back that...

Damn, I have owned a suburban, I co-own a dog trailer, and I work as a pheasant guide regularly. If my hair hadn't fallen out I'd get a man bun too. A man bun must be gucci, or maybe just douchie?

I know of one lab that had a partial tear at around 6 years of age. She was allowed to heal naturally (without surgery) and returned to a normal life of hunting, and competition to the ripe age of 13.

I have, but I think the problem was less the surgery/surgeons skill and more the lack of the owner following rehab procedures.

I have had many Labs and a couple GSPs. I like the labs because they are very competent pheasant dogs, one of the best waterfowl breeds, and just plain kick ass at retriever hunt tests and field trials. Lets face it they make really great companions too. If I only pheasant hunted a ESS would...